The sensations buffeting her were akin to a twister. Sweet ecstasy flooded her as he expertly licked, nibbled and sucked her nub while his fingers teased her below. She heard herself moan but didn’t care who heard her. In fact, she cared about nothing but what Micah was doing to her.
“Touch yourself.” His soft command shocked her, but she did his bidding since she couldn’t do anything else.
Her hands grasped her breasts and she pinched her own nipples. She gasped from the dual sensations as they rocketed through her. His thumbs switched positions with his mouth, and soon his tongue was entering her like a small cock, even as his fingers continued to pleasure her nub.
Eppie knew her body was near to exploding and she welcomed it. She started moving against his thrusts, naturally following the rhythm set by him. The wave of absolute ecstasy began somewhere near her feet and traveled up through her so fast it stole her breath. He sucked at her nub as she bucked and writhed from the liquid sensations buffeting her body.
Heaven and Earth and the stars collided, and she floated above it all. When his mouth left her pussy, she felt his cock nudging her entrance. She should tell him no, to stop before it went too far, but it was already too far. Eppie wanted him inside her.
He went slowly, as apparently was his style, going in only an inch, then withdrawing, then two inches, then three. By the time he’d fully penetrated her, she was panting again for what pleasure was to be found with Micah.
“Look at me, love.”
Her eyes popped open and he smiled.
“You are exquisite when you come. I want to see it again.”
Eppie didn’t think it was possible, but as he thrust into her, the kernel of pleasure began to build again into a wave. She still pinched her nipples and his pupils had dilated into dark pools as he watched her hands.
“That’s it, love, let me join you.”
His mouth closed over her hand and his tongue joined her fingers. The hot wet mouth combined with her own ministrations, and suddenly she found herself nearly ready to reach her peak again.
“Tight, so tight.” He mumbled against her. “I’m so close, so close.”
Eppie closed her legs around his hips, bringing him deeper inside her and that was apparently the way to open the gates of heaven. Pure joy, ecstasy and everything in between poured over them. Micah thrust into her as she closed around him like a fist. Life, death, and love pulsed through both of them as they reached their peaks in unison.
She couldn’t get a breath in and stars floated in her vision. It was so much more than sex, and she knew it. Two people who didn’t love each other couldn’t possibly find such amazing pleasure together.
When he raised himself up on his elbows and looked down at her with that beautiful smile, Eppie was terrified. She didn’t know what scared her more, the fact that she wanted to find it again with him or that she’d acknowledged there was love between them, lurking in the shadows.
Chapter Six
The morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, illuminating the table and the solitary figure who sat drinking coffee. Micah stared at the pattern of sunbeams on the table as he thought about Eppie.
Their encounter in the woods a few days earlier left him hungry for more of her. Eppie appeared to want to forget it happened, yet there was nothing on earth that could make him forget it.
It was the first taste of paradise, of happiness, he’d had in years. He wasn’t going to let Eppie take that away from him, even if she was confused about it. However, he wasn’t going to be a bully, either, and force her to repeat it if she wanted to keep her distance.
The truth was, he loved her enough to give her more time. It was killing him to wake up each morning with sweat covering his body, the strong urge to drink on his tongue, and the memory of her nude form burned into his brain.
“I didn’t realize anyone was here.”
Eppie’s voice startled him and he spilled coffee on his hand. With a hiss, he set the cup down and blew on the burn.
“I’m sorry.” She pumped water into the sink and wet a rag. “I always seem to be causing you pain.”
He choked on a laugh. “I don’t even know what to say to that.”
Eppie seemed to realize what she said because her cheeks reddened. “I also seem to suffer from an abundance of awkwardness around you.”
“That was a mouthful.” He closed his eyes against the sensation of having her hands touching him. “I don’t mean to scare you, make you feel uncomfortable, or chase you away.”
She stopped and stared down into his eyes. “Then what do you want from me?”
He smiled. “That’s easy. I want to spend time with you, to talk and perhaps, even spark a memory or two.”
“That’s all?” She looked suspicious, and she probably should. He wanted much more than that, but it was what he would settle for.
“That’s all. It’s all I could expect. Now if you’d care to join me, I’d love some company. Breakfast is a lonely meal around here.” His breath caught in his chest as he waited for her answer.
“Okay, I will have breakfast with you.” She set the rag back on the wooden sink and turned around to face him. “You mustn’t push me, Micah. I am doing this all based on how I feel.”
“I know, and I am willing to give you all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.” He couldn’t help being anxious for much more, much sooner, but he’d been patient enough to wait for her for three years. He could be patient some more.
“Then let’s have breakfast.” She turned toward the stove, then glanced back at him. “I’m not sure if I can cook.”
Micah laughed and stood. “Then let me show you how to make eggs.”
The next morning, when Eppie woke, she wasn’t sure if she would go to the kitchen or not. Micah had challenged her to spend time with him and she’d accepted the challenge.
She’d be a coward if she didn’t go downstairs for breakfast. Eppie didn’t want to be that person, so she got herself washed and dressed.
When she opened her bedroom door, her stomach did a funny flip as nerves did their best to stop her. She took a deep breath and told her feet to move.
Fortunately they listened to her and she went downstairs to the kitchen. The smell of coffee wafted past her and she breathed in the scent. If Micah did anything right, it was coffee. If nothing else, she would have a good hot cup for breakfast.
Petty thinking, she knew, but Micah kept her on edge. She didn’t know if it was his behavior or simply her reaction to him. Probably a combination of both.
When she walked into the kitchen, she half expected Micah to jump up and hug her, but he didn’t. In fact, he barely glanced at her from his perch at the stove.
“Good morning.” He gave her a small smile. “Have a seat and I’ll pour you some coffee.”
She had built up so much dread for what she’d find, all of it suddenly deflated in an instant. “Thank you,” she managed to get out before she sat down.
“I’ve asked Brenda Monahan, the seamstress in town, to come by and alter your clothes for you. She does wonderful work.” He chatted as he cooked, the smell of bacon making her stomach rumble.
“Thank you again. I didn’t realize I was so hungry.” There were a lot of things she didn’t realize. For example, how adept he was at cooking. The day before, he’d made two fried eggs and a piece of ham in a frying pan.
From what she saw that morning, he’d made fresh biscuits and cut bacon and cooked it, along with the coffee. Micah was self-sufficient in the kitchen.
Eppie felt odd sitting while he did the cooking. Even if she didn’t remember her name, she did remember women were supposed to do the cooking, not the watching.
“Can I help?” She wasn’t sure exactly what she was could do.
“No, just sit and relax.” He turned and met her gaze. “Did you sleep well?”
It felt like an odd conversation, as if they were a married couple having breakfast together.
“M
icah, tell me about yourself.” She was satisfied to see him twitch, breaking the strange domestic feeling in the room.
“What do you want to know?” He picked up the pot of coffee with a towel and poured her a cup, avoiding her gaze.
“Where are you from?” She held the tin cup in her hand, grateful for its warmth.
“Virginia.” His voice was tight and she realized questions about himself made him uncomfortable. He filled a plate with bacon, eggs, and a biscuit, then set it in front of her. His answers about his past were apparently going to be as sparse as the food was bountiful.
Her stomach rumbled again and Eppie decided she was going to eat what he’d prepared. After all, she was hungry and he was nice enough to make it. She decided to try a different topic for conversation.
“You’re a very good cook.” She put a forkful of eggs in her mouth and the explosion of flavor made her groan. “These are delicious.”
He chuckled as he set the plate down across from her. “Why, thank you. I didn’t used to be able to even boil water, but necessity made me learn in a hurry. I couldn’t let Miracle starve.”
Eppie’s opinion of Micah went up a notch. A father who wanted to take care of his child, even to the point of learning to cook for her, couldn’t be a bad person deep down.
“I’m impressed,” she managed to say between bites. “You learned well.”
He met her gaze across the table. “You want me to teach you? Well, not really teach you, just remind you. You used to be the best cook in the entire state.”
Eppie couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face. “Really? I was a good cook?”
“Oh, the best. Your green beans? They were so good I used to dream about them.” He took a gulp of coffee. “I’m sure if you started, you would remember as you went along.”
She considered his idea, recognizing she would have to spend time with him. Micah was giving her the opportunity to turn their morning breakfast into a cooking school. It might make her feel more comfortable with him, and that, above anything, was what convinced her to say yes.
“Okay, that sounds good.” She nibbled the biscuit. “Provided you teach me how to make these biscuits. They melt in your mouth.”
He laughed, and for a second, Eppie saw the man beneath the brooding, sad exterior. That man was handsome, smart, and funny—a combination she knew would appeal to her a great deal more than learning to cook breakfast.
“Those I learned from Candice. She specializes in pies and cookies, but oh, how she can make bread and biscuits.” He raised one eyebrow. “Are you enjoying the breakfast, then?”
She shook her head. “You know I am, so don’t tease me. This is hard enough as it is.”
Micah immediately raised his hand in surrender. “You’re right. I, well, it’s just that I’ve been waiting to eat breakfast with you for a very long time. We never had a chance to. This is almost a dream come true, as corny as that sounds.”
Eppie saw honesty in the depths of his gaze. She trusted her instincts, which told her he was telling the truth.
“I believe you.” She realized the odd, uncomfortable feeling that had been plaguing her since she woke up was gone. Micah’s cooking, and his honest responses, had chased them away.
Eppie was glad she’d made herself come downstairs. It had brought her to the next stage in her new life.
“I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that.” He grinned over his mug. “Maybe tomorrow I’ll put out jam and really make you smile.”
His silliness made her laugh. He must’ve been a charming young man before he ended up in Plum Creek. The path between Virginia and Colorado must’ve been a long, hard one. She wondered just what forces had shaped him into the haunted soul he was now.
Eppie wondered if she would be strong enough to find out.
The rest of breakfast was like time with a friend for Eppie. Before she knew it, the food was gone and he was clearing the table. She wanted to help him, but she felt sleepy and so comfortable at the table.
He came and kissed her on the forehead, surprising her. “You should go upstairs and nap. I’ll clean up.”
Eppie nodded and left the kitchen, tired, full, and strangely content.
The next week passed by quickly. Eppie was almost happy until she had to leave the house. “I don’t want to go.” Eppie folded her arms across her chest and stared at Micah. “There’s no reason for me to go.”
He sighed and put his hands on his hips. “We’ve already talked about this. Madeline wants you to sign the papers giving you half the house. You never had a chance, since you were in a coma, but she did give this house to both of us.”
It had been eight days since Eppie and Micah had made love in the sunlight. She’d tried to forget it, pretend it never happened, but each night her dreams were full of Micah and the feeling of his body on hers. They had begun sharing breakfast together, alone, talking as friends would. He even kept to his promise and was teaching her to cook.
She looked forward to each morning with a spring in her step. Micah was charming, intelligent, and very tempting. She shook off the thoughts with effort and focused on what he was saying about the house.
Eppie didn’t feel comfortable taking half a mansion from anyone, even if she’d been her best friend. She had no idea what the house was worth, but by her estimation, it was entirely too much to give to anyone.
“I can’t accept it. It’s too much, Micah. I mean, look at it. She’d be giving away so much.” She pointed to the ornate rug in the parlor. “That rug alone must cost more than an entire house.”
“I don’t know how much it cost, but I agree, there’s a lot of money in this house. It doesn’t matter because, you see, Madeline can’t live here anymore.” He sat down and took her hands in his, rubbing his thumbs on the backs of hers. It was a pleasant, arousing sensation, and she decided she liked it.
“Why not?”
“Her father was not a nice man. In fact, he was a bit of an ogre if the stories she tells are any indication. He treated her like an object, someone to do his bidding and keep his house. That’s nothing compared to how he treated the people of Plum Creek. Rufus Brewster kept the town in his pocket and didn’t hesitate to do whatever he had to to keep his money and his power safe.” Micah toed the carpet. “This was his, all of this was his, except for the sitting room. Madeline wanted to start her life over when she married Teague. She wanted to give us both something and this was it.”
“Why couldn’t she have given us something smaller, like a cabin?” Eppie understood Madeline’s motivation a bit better, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.
Micah chuckled. “It’s what she had to give. Believe me, Madeline is worth millions. Giving away this house isn’t going to bankrupt her.”
Eppie’d had no idea what her new friend was worth, and just the word millions boggled her mind a bit. She couldn’t even imagine how much money that was, much less count it and keep it straight.
“So we need to go to the bank and sign the papers?” Eppie wasn’t happy about it, but she knew when to retreat.
Micah smiled. “Yes, and I promise we’ll go together, all four of us. No one will dare mess with Teague. He’ll scowl them to death.”
Eppie chuckled at the thought, but in her heart she was scared. Matilda Webster and her cronies had already come by once and treated her as if she were dirt beneath their feet. She wondered how other people in town would treat her when they found out she owned half a mansion.
Maybe it’s what she needed to get some confidence back, to feel more in control of where her life was going. Even though her instincts were telling her to run in the other direction, she decided to go anyway.
“Okay, I’ll go.” Her stomach quivered, yet she didn’t change her mind.
It took them an hour to get ready for their little outing. Eppie spent time fixing her hair so it didn’t stick up every which way. Then she put on in a light yellow dress with some delicate lace around the collar. It
was too big, as was everything hanging in her room, but it was clean and, in her opinion, somewhat elegant. She stared at her reflection and decided she was as ready as she’d ever be to face the people of Plum Creek.
When she walked downstairs, she found Miracle jumping around as if she were getting a special treat. Her little face was alight with joy as she danced in circles in the downstairs hallway. The sight of her twirling with her hair flying behind her like banners in the wind made Eppie smile. The child was truly blessed with an abundance of life.
“Miracle, you can’t go with us, sweetheart.” Micah’s words fell like the clapper on a bell on a quiet Sunday morning.
“I go.” She nodded and looked up at him with hurt in her gaze.
“No, we’re going to the big people bank and there’s nothing for you to do there. Miss Candice is already in the kitchen waiting for you to make cookies.”
Miracle glanced toward the kitchen, the lure of cookies apparently strong, but then she turned back to her father.
“I go.”
“No, you can’t go today. I promise later we’ll take Daisy for a walk down to the river.” He patted her head and walked away.
He didn’t see her little chin wobble or the betrayal in her eyes. Eppie did and she felt it herself. Somewhere, somehow, Eppie had been left behind and it had hurt quite a lot. She knelt down and got herself eye to eye with Miracle.
“I know you want to come with us, but your Daddy is right, you wouldn’t have any fun. Truth is, I don’t want to go myself, but I have to. When we get back, I would love to have fresh cookies. It would make me feel better. Do you think you could help Candice get some made?”
Miracle sniffed and nodded. “’Kay.”
“Thank you.”
Without warning, the girl hugged Eppie quickly and whispered “I love you” in her ear. Then she stuck her chin in the air and walked past her father without saying good-bye. The pointed exclusion made Madeline chuckle and Teague snort.
The Redemption of Micah Page 10